"..."
Shikamaru held the Shadow Possession Jutsu, waiting. After a moment, realizing Ino and Choji hadn't moved, he couldn't help but shout impatiently, "What are you two doing?!"
"Shikamaru, it's not me, it's Ino," Choji said, his expression serious. "Ino, I know what you're thinking, but right now, the mission takes priority."
"I know, I know! But... how could Sakura possibly betray the village?" Ino protested, tears welling in her eyes.
"Ah... you two!" Shikamaru listened to their exchange, a headache already forming. He sighed and released the hand seal, letting the shadow retract.
Smart as he was, Shikamaru understood exactly what his teammates were thinking. Without their cooperation, he had no chance of capturing Sakura alone. Frankly, even with their cooperation, success wasn't guaranteed against her.
"Alright, fine. I surrender," Shikamaru said resignedly, turning to Sakura. "Honestly, I don't really believe you betrayed the village either. But I still think it would be better for you to come back with us."
As the shadow's grip released, Sakura felt her body lighten. Although she doubted the technique could truly hold her for long, she appreciated the trust her former classmates were showing.
"This whole thing is a trap set by some of the village higher-ups specifically targeting me," Sakura explained quickly. "Going back now means walking right into it. I can't go back yet."
"Speaking of which, what exactly happened?" Shikamaru asked. "We still don't know the details. The mission briefing just said to capture you and bring you back."
Suddenly, Sakura's senses flared. She detected a presence rapidly approaching from behind them.
"I have to go," she said abruptly, moving past the three of them and darting away into the trees.
Shikamaru watched her retreating figure, the tension finally draining from his shoulders. He shook his head with a helpless sigh.
"Shikamaru," Choji said quietly, watching Sakura disappear, "you never really intended to carry out the order, did you?"
"Eh, what's the point talking about that now?" Shikamaru shrugged dismissively.
"This isn't like you, Shikamaru!"
A familiar, slightly rough voice sounded beside them.
"Asuma-sensei!" the three exclaimed in unison.
"Ha," Shikamaru said, looking slightly embarrassed. "She's just too strong. Even if we had tried, we wouldn't have been able to stop her."
"Asuma-sensei, why was Sakura labeled a traitor?" Ino asked, still looking distressed. "I can't believe someone like her would betray the village."
Asuma looked at his three curious students and sighed. "Alright, listen up. Since we're not the primary team on this mission anyway, I'll tell you what little I know. I don't have all the details myself."
Asuma recalled how the Hokage had kept Kakashi back separately after the main briefing. It was obvious Kakashi was the one truly tasked with handling this. Since they had picked up Sakura's trail, Asuma decided it was best to leave the rest to him.
...
The sky had completely darkened now. Sakura estimated her position; she should be nearing the inland sea soon. Beyond that lay the Land of Tea, and from there, south to Red Aku Island. That seemed like the safest bet for now – a remote place, almost a paradise detached from the world, where she could potentially find safety.
Heading north seemed too risky. That region was dotted with minor shinobi villages, areas where Orochimaru held influence, and Akatsuki activity had been reported. Too many unpredictable factors. The edge of the shinobi world seemed a better place to hide for a while, regroup, and then find the right opportunity to take down Danzo.
Truly worthy of the 'Darkness of the Shinobi World' title, Sakura thought bitterly, reflecting on how Danzo, who had operated in the shadows for decades, had so expertly maneuvered her into the position of a missing-nin. Playing political games against him... I was still too naive.
Just then, while running at full speed, Sakura suddenly sensed another presence approaching rapidly from behind – different from the one she'd felt earlier. After a brief hesitation, she abruptly stopped, turning to wait for her pursuer.
It didn't take long. The pursuing ninja soon landed lightly in front of her.
"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura acknowledged, feeling a slight measure of relief upon seeing her former teacher.
"Sakura," Kakashi replied, his visible eye betraying complex emotions. "Why? Why did you kill them?"
Kakashi had read the scroll Tsunade gave him. The actions described didn't seem like the Sakura he knew, yet the autopsy reports were damning, pointing directly at her involvement. Beyond fulfilling Tsunade's orders, Kakashi felt a personal need to understand what had truly happened.
"Are you referring to Ryuta's subordinates and those ANBU?" Sakura asked.
"And the man in the hospital," Kakashi added. "Please, tell me the truth. My next actions will depend entirely on your answer."
"I was framed by Danzo," Sakura stated calmly, meeting his gaze. "I didn't kill anyone. It's all his scheme, but honestly, I don't have all the specific details myself – I'm still trying to piece it together. I can't return to the village right now. It's too dangerous for me there."
"Danzo..." Kakashi murmured the name thoughtfully. He looked at Sakura again. "Where are you planning to go? If you don't return to the village, you'll be officially branded a missing-nin. Your master is the Hokage now; this incident will be investigated thoroughly."
Sakura was accused of harming fellow villagers, with seemingly strong evidence against her. Leaving the village would solidify her status as a traitor in the eyes of many. Yet, returning might mean she would be the one persecuted. There seemed to be no good options.
CRACK!
A brilliant flash of lightning illuminated the darkening forest, followed instantly by a deafening clap of thunder as the heavens opened up, unleashing a torrential downpour.
"Kakashi-sensei, I'm not going back right now!" Sakura yelled over the roar of the rain. "Get a message to Tsunade-sensei for me! Tell her I didn't kill anyone!" Her voice hitched slightly. "And... please look after my parents! Tell them... tell them I will be back!"
With that, hoping to use the storm as cover, Sakura spun around and dashed away. She hadn't taken more than two steps before Kakashi instantly appeared in front of her, blocking her path.
"I won't let you leave, Sakura," Kakashi said firmly, a kunai now held ready in his hand. "If you run now, it will only make clearing your name more difficult. Remember, Lady Tsunade is the Hokage now."
Sakura sighed inwardly. Trying to explain this to someone without an omniscient perspective is impossible. Kakashi had a point; running away did make her look guilty. But returning felt even worse.
It's obvious what Danzo will do next, Sakura thought grimly, easily predicting his moves. If Tsunade-sensei protects me, rumors will spread through the village within a day – 'Hokage shields traitorous apprentice who harmed comrades'. Her hard-earned reputation will be destroyed. Then Danzo will seize the opportunity to try and impeach her.
Danzo held all the advantages in this situation. Without ironclad proof of her innocence, returning to the village was simply asking for more trouble. But Kakashi didn't see it that way. From his perspective, being labeled a missing-nin was a permanent stain, making any future return incredibly difficult. Returning now, however difficult, offered the chance for the truth to eventually come out and her name to be cleared.
"It seems I have no choice but to get past you then, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura said, drawing her own kunai. "Please instruct me!"
"Sakura, you're a smart girl," Kakashi replied, gripping his kunai tighter. His gaze was serious, acknowledging the threat she posed despite being his student. "I hope you don't choose the wrong path."
Sakura shook her head sadly. "It's precisely because I see things clearly that I know I can't return to the village right now."
CRACK! Another peal of thunder echoed overhead. Sakura initiated the confrontation, throwing her kunai. As Kakashi moved to deflect it, her hands flew through a different set of seals. "Ninja Art: Strength of a Hundred Technique!"
"This is... Lady Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal!" Kakashi thought, watching in astonishment as the intricate markings spread rapidly across Sakura's body from the diamond on her forehead.
An immense surge of chakra erupted from Sakura. But something felt... different this time. Her senses seemed to explode outwards, sharpening dramatically. She felt acutely aware of everything around her – the individual raindrops hammering down from the sky, the tiny insects rustling in the wet grass, the slight bend of tree branches under the weight of the water – all presented with impossible clarity in her mind's eye.
It was as if the entire world had snapped into sharper focus. Kakashi's counter-thrown kunai seemed to drift towards her like a snail crossing pavement. Sakura tilted her head slightly, easily evading it. She could sense the exact moment it embedded itself in the tree trunk behind her.
She didn't understand. Why did the Strength of a Hundred Seal technique suddenly feel so different?
What... what is this?!!